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Week Ending December 8, 2005

H.R.758 To establish an interagency aerospace revitalization task force to develop a national strategy for aerospace workforce recruitment, training, and cultivation.

BRIEF

   The bill establishes a task force to facilitate cooperation among federal agencies to provide a skilled workforce relating to science, technology, mathematics and engineering. The task force would also monitor public and private education and training programs in those same areas and would partner with business, organized labor, education institutions and state and local governments through distribution of grants, loans and scholarships.

   The bill follows Congress’ findings that the aerospace industry (including civilian and military airplanes) generates 15% of the GDP and employs around 11 million. It is also the leader in US exports. However, the total employment fell and 27 percent of the workforce will retire in 2008. Replenishing the workforce with skilled and talented American students is challenged by Congress’ observation that American students in the science, technology and math fields rank among the lowest of industrialized countries.

   The task force would be made up of high-level officials from Homeland Security, Defense, Labor, Commerce and Education, Transportation, NASA, Energy and two members appointed by the President.

   The task force members would not be financially compensated.

Sponsor: Representative Vernon J. Ehlers (R-MI-3^rd)

Vote: Passed House by voice vote October 25, 2005. Passed Senate by Unanimous Consent December 6, 2006

Cost to the taxpayers: House Budget Committee determines that the bill is not expected to impact revenues or spending.

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MORE INFORMATION

Congress finds the following:

(1) The aerospace industry generates nearly 15 percent of the gross  domestic product of the United States, supports approximately 11,000,000 jobs in the United States, and leads the United States economy in net exports.

(2) The aerospace industry contributes directly to the economic and national security of the United States through military, space, air transport, and information technology applications.

(3) A skilled and educated workforce represents the most valuable asset of the United States economy.

(4) In 2004, total employment in the aerospace industry fell to its lowest point in 50 years.

(5) 27 percent of the aerospace manufacturing workforce will become eligible for retirement by 2008.

(6) Students in the United States rank near the bottom of the leading industrialized countries of the world in mathematics and science test performance.

(7) To ensure the stability of high-skilled jobs and the global competitiveness of the domestic aerospace industry, the United States requires coordinated Federal Government policies to sustain and expand the science, mathematics, engineering, and manufacturing workforce.

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No reproduction or distribution without written permission from TheWeekInCongress.com.